Wings

Chapter 38: Tyler

I leaned against a wall in my cell, staring at the dark stone walls. It was literally a dungeon. Everything was cold. There was no guard outside my cell, nor anywhere near it, and for good reason. I smiled, thinking of how passive Anastasia had become.

I was soon aware of footsteps. They came ever closer and I knew that it was Casper. He has a peculiar way of walking when he's flustered, and it creates a pleasant little rhythm. What bothered him, though, was beyond my understanding. He rounded the corner, and as he got closer I saw how red his cheeks were as well as the tears that rimmed his eyes.

He got to the steel bars and collapsed, curling against the cold metal. He was clinging to it, trying not to cry. It was a moving scene, and I almost wanted to comfort him. Almost. 

How unfortunate.

I watched him, but he never looked up. He lay there, shaking. I waited for him to calm down, which he did, but it took him a while. He began to speak in his small voice.

"I didn't know where else to go, Tyler. I'm so tired of this. So tired of everyone not caring for anyone else. I... I don't know what to do. I just want to good days, when we were young. When Anatasia had feelings, when she had empathy. When you and I were the best of friends. I miss when things were simpler." He stopped for a moment and sneezed. I was lost in memories as he spoke. Yes, I remember those days. They were good, but all things come to an end. All things must grow up. 

"I don't understand how these nobles don't understand that class doesn't define how human someone is, y'know... I don't get how they can just ruin others' lives like that... But I miss Stas even more than I detest any of that. She was the best. It seems like emotions are infectious for her, but I'm having such a hard time staying positive, let alone trying to help her..."

He trailed off and I could see by the shaking of his body that he was crying. I understood perfectly. People are horrible, selfish monsters. My sister included. She couldn't feel selfishness, but her apathy was enough to make it that way.

I moved over to my little brother and kneeled by him. I put my hand through the bars and gently took his chin, turning his face to mine. His bright gray eyes sparkled with tears. The tears themself were streaming down his pale face. He was like a puppy; so small, so pitiful.

He was tired. You could see it in the way he was limp against the cell. He wasn't thinking clearly, but, as always, his heart was in the right place. Right where I needed it. He was broken.

"I miss Mom, Tyler. I miss our family." He took a deep, shuddering breath. "I can't stop the bad things from happening to people I love. I can't be strong anymore. It hurts to be strong, Tyler..."

This was going much better than I had planned. My dear brother has always been a weak, fragile thing. His emotions were borderline bipolar. When he crashed, he crashed hard. His biggest critic was himself. He easily tore himself to shreds, and always needed someone to help him get his shit together. 

Pathetic.

"I can't be strong... I can't save anyone..." He began sobbing violently, clinging to my arm. His hot tears trickled down onto my arm. I maneuvered so I could hold him better through the bars. I stroked his soft hair. My free hand was now around his shoulder, touching bare skin. 

I felt the strong pulse of magic within me and gently began to channel it into him. He noticed and looked up at me. I smirked at him. Too late, my dear, loving brother realized his mistake. He tried to pull away, but I held him close. Yes, he would get the comfort he so desperately desired.

"It's tiring to be good all the time, is it not? It would be nice to let go for a change, to be free of this pain." I purred the words, still stroking his hair. He was struggling against my grasp but was weak from his exhausting breakdown. My power continued to flow, pulsing stronger and stronger. He started to cry.

"Please, Tyler... don't.... please..." Each word was quieter and quieter, his will to fight was leaving him. 

"It's okay, Casper. I'm here for you. Everything will be okay. It's time to rest."

He groaned in response, finally going quiet. I dropped him and rolled my eyes. That took too long. I stood up and flicked the bars of the cell, watching as they melted. I bent down and cupped Casper's deathly pale face in my hands.

He was still alive. That's good. I placed my hand on his forehead for a moment, letting energy flow between us. I stood back, grinning. Now he would be useful.

As for my escape, I simply walked out of the dungeons.